Hercules: Musical Drama in Three Acts

Performer:	Les Musiciens du Louvre	Click Image To See Full Size Pic
CD Title:	Hercules: Musical Drama in Three Acts
Composer:	Georg Frideric Handel
CD INFO:	Archiv 469 532-2 (3 CDs)
Reviewer:	Ward Botsford
Notes:	Chorus and Orchestra of the Louvre conducted by Marc Minkowski Hercules …………. Gidon Saks Dejanira ………….. Anne Sofie von Otter Hyllus …………….. Richard Croft Iole ………………… Lynne Dawson Lichas …………….. David Daniels Priest of Jupiter ….. Marcos Pujol

Listen to A Soundtrack From This CD Excerpt used: Resign my club (Otter)

PLAY     REQUIRES REALPLAYER

Don't have it? Get it FREE!

Review:
Archiv - DG lists Hercules as a "Music Drama", others list it as an Opera and still others as "An Oratorio/Opera". No matter what its characterization it is one of those works that works well in the concert hall but not at all on stage. In general Handel was unsuccessful with his forty odd operas. And in truth not a few of them are excessively boring. His public thought so too and walked out in droves. This included Hercules.

Yet this it is a work of quite singular beauty. Very mellow - if I may use that word - the libretto by Thomas Broughton relates the dying days of the great Greek hero and although not a literary masterpiece is readable - and more to the point! - Singable.

It is not a work that one comes across frequently. Indeed in years of concert/opera going I have heard a greatly truncated performance exactly once. There are three recordings listed in Schwann. Two you can instantly forget and the last is - curiously enough! - A product of Archiv/DG. It was an OK performance but this new production quite outstrips it in every way.

There are two reasons for this. One is the firm beat and understanding of the score by Minkowski. The other I need hardly say is the voice of von Otter. A voice that soars, grapples with a difficult part as the Hero's Wife and comes out shinning. Gad! It was only a month ago I burst out in laughter at her Chaminade and smiled at her Meyerbeer. What I mean: This is a versatile lady!

Gidon Saks is an admirable Hercules. His big aria, "Alcides' name in latest story" may not note a man at death's door but the singing is all that could be asked of a Hero, rich in the neither regions and clean at top.

Croft as Hercules son enunciates clearly and sings with clean attack and voice. Lynne Dawson is not exactly unknown of course and one would expect the best from her. And this she gives and with extreme unction.

The small orchestra and chorus are polished to a fare-the-well, as one should expect.

The recording - according to the box - was done live in Theatre de Poissy. This is very hard to believe for there is scarcely a noise to be heard. Indeed, the sound is just what is needed: Clear and with room around it. And largely you can actually understand what's being sung which is something of a shock.

Extensive notes, libretto, biographies, pictures of course.

There may be sets this year that are as good as this but better … I think not.